Hurricane Center

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For information related to tornado debris collection, click here.

Safeguarding Against the Storm

Hurricane preparedness is a part of life in St. Pete and the City of St. Petersburg urges citizens to take necessary precautions to protect themselves, their home and property, and their communities before, during, and after the storm. Much of St. Pete lies in evacuation zones; make sure you have a plan before there’s a storm approaching. 

Are you a resident that also owns a business in St. Pete? Click here to see a centralized page for federal, state, county and local resources specific to business owners.

Info For Flood-Prone Areas

Before the Storm 

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before there’s one approaching. View the City’s Good Neighbor Guide: Hurricane Planning for tips on how to prepare for hurricane season.

During The Storm

Follow Pinellas County's guide for what to do and when to act during a storm. Be prepared to evacuate, if necessary. Monitor the appropriate news channels in your local area for instructions as well as StPeteTV (Cable 615/15/20). Find out how to get alerts from your cell phone when the power is out. Learn where sandbags will be available, generator safety tips and local radio stations that will broadcast city information.

The City of St. Petersburg will also provide storm-related information through its social media channels. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stpetefl  or on Twitter @StPeteFL or St. Pete Public Works @StPetePW. 


After the Storm

After the storm passes, use a battery-powered radio to listen for news reports about damage, road closures, power outages, and other emergency instructions. Continue to follow the City of St. Petersburg on social media for real time updates. 

Plan on three to seven days of uncertainty, depending on the storm, and be prepared with enough supplies in your storm emergency kit (food, water, medications, and entertainment). If Pinellas County is hit by a hurricane, it could be several weeks or even months before life gets back to normal.

Following severe storm activity and power disruptions, there may be non-working traffic signals in the city. If you encounter an inoperable signal, remember to approach the intersection as a four-way stop. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to reach the intersection should move forward first. If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Tornado Debris pickup

For debris from the tornado on December 15, 2022 - place debris in your trash can if it fits with the lid closed. Large vegetative debris will be picked up from the curb by the City, no charge.

Debris being picked up:

  • Green vegetative debris:
    • Plants
    • Leaves (do not put in bags)
    • Logs
    • Tree branches

  • Fence panels - separate from vegetative debris

Instructions

Do not stack or lean debris. Do not place debris near trees, poles, fire hydrants, meters or any structure.

Fence panels should be separate from vegetative debris.

Place debris between the sidewalk and the curb. Any debris placed from the sidewalk towards your property will not be picked up. If you don't have a sidewalk, ditch or utility line in front of your property, place debris at the edge of your property before the curb.

How to Request Debris Removal

Property Repair

As property owners make repairs to storm-damaged structures, the City of St. Petersburg reminds residential and commercial property owners to obtain the proper permits and to use licensed contractors.

Work which does not require a permit includes minor repair including cosmetic and finishing work. A list of work exempt from permit requirements is available on the permitting page. 

The Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB) site includes a list of licensed contractors and the Disaster Contractors Network lists contractors who are registered with FEMA for disaster-related projects.

 

2022 Executive Orders: